Kwankwaso Considers Joining Atiku, Obi in ADC

According to THISDAY, former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso is weighing the option of joining forces with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ahead of the 2027 elections.

This development comes as Kwankwaso’s political structure faces upheaval, with Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf and most members of the State House of Assembly planning to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) on Monday. The newspaper reports that quiet negotiations are underway as the opposition politicians explore forming a united front.

Key Developments:

Opposition Realignment: Obi defected to ADC on Wednesday alongside supporters and opposition lawmakers. Atiku had previously joined the party, and they finished second and third respectively in the 2023 presidential election, while Kwankwaso came fourth. Together, according to ADC chieftain Dr. Ladan Salihu, they secured approximately 63 percent of total presidential votes in 2023.

Kano Political Crisis: Governor Yusuf’s planned Monday defection to APC has sparked disagreement within the Kwankwasiyya movement and is reportedly opposed by Kwankwaso. Vice President Kashim Shettima, APC National Chairman Yitwalda Nentawe, and former Kano Governor Abdullahi Ganduje are expected to attend the defection ceremony in Abuja.

Plateau Defection: Governor Caleb Mutfwang formally joined the APC yesterday, pledging support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election and predicting Plateau could deliver one million votes in 2027. His deputy, cabinet members, and all 17 local government chairmen also defected. The PDP criticized the move as a “betrayal of public mandate.”

ADC’s Growing Confidence: Salihu described Obi’s defection as a “political blockbuster” that has put ADC in “pole position” for 2027, dismissing claims of internal party factionalism as attempts by the APC to sow division.

PDP’s Response: The opposition party acknowledged it’s in rebuilding mode and hasn’t ruled out alliances with other parties, stating that “the opposition must agree to work together to defeat the ruling party.”